Laterality in Emotional Language Processing in First and Second Language

Abstract

Language is a cognitive function that is asymmetrically distributed across both hemispheres, with left dominance for most linguistic operations. One key question of interest in cognitive neuroscience studies is related to the contribution of both hemispheres in bilingualism. Previous work shows a difference of both hemispheres for auditory processing of emotional and non-emotional words in bilinguals and monolinguals. In this study, we examined the differences between both hemispheres in the processing of emotional and non-emotional words of mother tongue language and foreign language. Sixty university students with Persian mother tongue and English as their second language were included. Differences between hemispheres were compared using the dichotic listening test. We tested the effect of hemisphere, language and emotion and their interaction. The right ear (associated with the left hemisphere) showed an advantage for the processing of all words in the first language, and positive words in the second language. Overall, our findings support previous studies reporting left-hemispheric dominance in late bilinguals for processing auditory stimuli.

Exploring Hemispheric Lateralization and Second Language Class Performance in 10 y.o. Students

“…In summary, regarding leftward asymmetry and its association with linguistic outcomes, the results of this study align with previous research where leftward asymmetry, as measured by dichotic listening, led to enhanced word processing [4] and better scores in second language classes and proficiency tests [16].…”

“…Left functional lateralization even occurs at the level of the primary auditory cortex [3]. Late bilinguals performed better on word processing tasks in their native and foreign languages when they exhibited left hemisphere dominance in the dichotic listening test [4]. Children with a more pronounced left-asymmetric pattern of brain activation (predicted by the precision of speech temporal coding in the auditory brainstem) perform better than children with weaker asymmetry in tasks involving phonological speech processing, including reading and spelling [5].…”

İki Dillilikte Duygusal Dil İşlemleme: Andaş Çeviride Öznel Duygulanım ve Bürünsel Belirteçler

“…It is generally assumed that emotionality is attenuated in L2, leading to so-called "disembodied" language processing (Pavlenko, 2012). There is indeed much empirical evidence to support this claim, showing reduced physiological responses to emotionally charged words when presented in the non-native second language (L2) compared to the native language (L2) (Harris, 2004;Harris et al, 2003;Heyrani et al, 2022). However, there is also counter-evidence showing similar patterns of emotional activation in both L1 and L2 (e.g., Conrad et al, 2011).…”